Laparotomy sheet with plastic center strip having absorbent layer

ABSTRACT

A surgical sheet or drape of a relatively large rectangular panel of nonwoven paper material having a centrally disposed strip of plastic incorporated therein with a fenestration centrally disposed in the plastic strip and a layer or covering of absorbent material on the plastic strip in spaced relation to the periphery of the fenestration.

United States Patent Inventor Robert T. Bayer Asheville, N.C.

Appl. No. 783,324

Filed Dec. 12, I968 Patented Feb. 9, 1971 Assignee Mars ManufacturingCompany, Inc.

Asheville, N.C. a corporation of North Carolina LAPAROTOMY SHEET WITHPLASTIC CENTER STRIP HAVING ABSORBENT LAYER 7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

0.8. CI 128/132, 128/ I 71 Int. Cl A61f 13/00 Field of Search 128/ 1 32,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Craddock Melges Melges MorganKrzewinski et al Primary Examiner-Adele M. Eager Attorney-Clarence A.OBrien & Harvey B. Jacobson ABSTRACT: A surgical sheet or drape of arelatively large rectangular panel of nonwoven paper material having acentrally disposed strip of plastic incorporated therein with afenestration centrally disposed in the plastic strip and a layer orcovering of absorbent material on the plastic strip in spaced relationto the periphery of the fenestration.

HAVING Ansonnsur LAYER -It is .well knownin the field that one of theproblems encountered in surgery is postoperative infection which occursfrequently after surgery. Two of the major causes of postoperativeinfection is strike-through of body fluids and foreign material such aslint gaining access'to the wound or incision. Strike-through occurs whenbody fluids such as blood, contaminated solutions and the like leakthrough conventional textile material employed in surgical sheets ordrapes or when such fluids break through the barrier of disposable papersurgical drapes or sheets. The strike-through of body fluid allowscontaminate to travel from one surface'of the surgical drape to theother. Further, where disposable paper surgical drapes, or linens ortextile surgical drapes are employed, there is a con tinuing problem oflint which would be contaminated an could easily get into a woundwithout being seen.

One effort to solve this problem with some degree of success has beenthe incorporation of a plastic stripincorporated into the center of thesurgical drape which offers a superior wet resistant barrier. However,since the "static-free plastic drape has a'tendericy to flow along thesurface of the plastic and downwardly off of the drape onto'the floor,clothing, feet and other equipment disposed in this area. Further, clueto the relatively slick surface of the plastic material, instruments ortools laid thereon quite frequently slip or slide especiallyif theplastic surface is relativelyinclined. v i

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide asurgical drape with a plastic strip with a fenestration centrallydisposed therein with the plastic strip having a layer of absorbentmaterial laminated thereto. This absorbent material may benonwoverimaterial, tissue,.-wadding or the like and when combined with theplastic strip, there will be provided a superior liquid barrier and atthe same time there will be an absorbent surface to eliminate rolloff orrundown of liquids and at the same time serve as a supporting surfacefor instruments that may be deposited thereon. The absorbent materialmay be laminated, glued, taped, or heat sealed into position and may bein the form of two independent spaced pads extending for a relativelyshort distance on either side of the fenestration or a continuous padextending from edge to edge of thedrape with the central portion thereofomitted to provide theinner edges of the absorbent material in spacedrelation to the periphery of the fenestration.

A further object of the present invention is' to provide a laparotomysheet which is simple in construction, effective for its purposes andrelatively inexpensive to manufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter'described and claimed, referencebein'g had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. I is a top plan view of the laparotomy sheet of the presentinvention; I

FIG. 2 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially upon a planepassing along section line 2-2 of FIG. 1 illustrating the structure ofthe sheet and the absorbent pads thereon; and

FIG. 3 is a sectionalview extending from edge to edge of the sheetillustrating a modified embodiment of the invention in which theabsorbent pad is continuous throughout the length and width of the stripexcept in that area adjacent the fenestration.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the laparotomy sheet of thepresent invention is generally designated by the numeral 10 and in planview is substantially rectangular in configuration. While not limited toany particular dimensions, it has been found that dimensions ofapproximately 87 inches in width and 120 inches in length performsatisfactorily. The sheet 10 includes two panels 12 and 14 of similarshape and configuration with one panel .being about 6 inches shorterthan the other and both panels being constructed of a nonwoven paper.Disposed between arid interconnecting the edges of the paper panels 12and I4 is a plastic panel or strip 16 which extends between the sideedges of the sheet an is coextensive in length to the width of the sheet10 as illustrated in FIG. I. The edges of the panels 12 and I4 overlapthe edges of the plastic strip 16 as illustrated in FIG. 2 and aresecured thereto by a suitable adhesive bonding material as at 18. Ifdesired, the edges of the panels 12 and I4 could be disposed inalignment with the edges of the strip 16 with the edges thus beinginterconnected by a suitable bonding adhesive tape, heat sealing,ultrasonic sealing or the like. Whether the edges overlap as in FIG. 2or the tape is employed overlapping both adjacent edges, the majorportion of the width of the plastic strip 16 is free of paper and whilethe width of the plastic strip 16 may vary, it has been found thatastrip I6 inches in width performs effectively.

Centrally disposed within the plastic strip or insert 16 is an openingor fenestration 20 which is also rectangular in configuration with thelong dimension thereof paralleling the long side edge of the sheet). Theopening 20 is centrally disposed between the side edges of the plasticstrip I6 and also centrally disposed between the end edges thereof asillustrated in FIG. I. While the dimensions of the opening 20 may alsovary, it

has been found that an opening 2 to 4 inches in length and approximately12 inches long enables operative procedures to be properly conductedthrough the opening.-

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a pair of rectangular absorbent pads 22 ofnonwovcn material which'has been specially treated for high moistureresistance laminated tothe plastic strip I6 with the edges of the pads22 extending beyond the edges of the plastic strip 16 as illustrated inFIG. '2. The pad 22 is of absorbent material and is laminated .to thesurface of the plastic strip and the adjacent portions of the sidepanels I2 and 14 by gluing, taping, heat sealing or by any othermeans.The pads serve as an absorbent material on the upper surface of thestatic free plastic material which will absorb any liquids engaging theupper surface of the plastic strip thus preventing such liquids fromrolling off or flowing down along the surface of the plastic strip ontothe floor, surgeon's clothing, feet or the like.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in whichabsorbent pad 24 is provided which completely covers the surface of theplastic strip except for the area thereof having the fenestration 20therein. Thus, the construction may involve a pair of pads 22 asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 or a continuous pad extending all the wayto the end edges of the plastic strip 16. In either embodiment, theperipheral area of the fenestration 20 is left free of absorbentmaterial which produces a strike-through barrier and eliminates possiblecontamination by lint or the like from the absorbent material. The padof absorbentmaterial also serves to retain instruments in positionthereon and prevents such instruments from slipping or sliding whendeposited on a supporting surface thus avoiding any possible objectionof the plastic strip not providing adequate support for surgicalinstruments and the like.

The laparotomy sheet of the present invention may be easily manufacturedemploying known techniques and the plastic strip does not adverselyeffect the breathability of the overall sheet and thus enablesstabilivation of the condition and temperature of the patient. Theplastic strip or insert 16 affords total protection againststrike-through of fluid in the area where fluids are encountered duringoperative procedure and also affords total protection against deposit offoreign material such as lint into the wound while such operativeprocedures are being conducted. The absorbent pads 22 or 24 on theplastic material serves as an absorbent for any liquid materialsengaging the surface of the plastic to prevent such liquids from flowingalong the surface of the plastic material. Also, the plastic materialemployed is static free and may have the bacteria inhibiting agentincorporated therein and has been approved for surgical use as has thenonwovcn paper and other materials employed in the laparotomy sheet.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

1 claim:

1. A surgical drape such as a laparotomy sheet enlarged lengthwise by aplastic panel having an opening disposed centrally therein, said panelbeing a moistureproof member defining the periphery of the opening toeliminate strike-through of fluid during a surgical procedure and toeliminate contamination of a wound by lint or other foreign materialcoming into contact therewith from portions of the drape outwardly ofsaid plastic member, said plastic panel having an absorbent material onthe upper surface to absorb any liquid engaging the surface of themoistureproof plastic member to prevent such liquid from flowing alongthe surface of the moistureproof member, the above combination enablesthe area immediately adjacent to the operating area to remain sterileand prevents fluids which would normally be directed downwards from theoperating table to remain on the laparotomy sheet.

2. A surgical drape such as a laparotomy sheet comprising an enlargedpanel having an opening disposed centrally therein, and a moistureproofmember defining the periphery of the opening to eliminate strike-throughof fluid during a surgical procedure and to eliminate contamination of awound by lint or other foreign material coming into contact therewithfrom portions of the drape outwardly of the moistureproof member, andabsorbent material on the upper surface of the moistureproof member toabsorb any liquid engaging the surface of the moistureproof member toprevent such liquid from flowing along the surface of the moistureproofmember, said moistureproof member including a strip of flexible plasticmaterial extending completely across said panel and being relativelynarrow to separate the panel into side panels having the edges thereofsecured to the plastic strip, said absorbent material being spaced fromthe periphery of the opening in the plastic strip.

3 The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said absorbent material isin the form of a pair of pads, one pad being disposed on each side ofthe opening in the plastic strip and terminating substantially inwardlyfrom the end edges of the plastic strip.

4. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said absorbent materialis in the form of a pad extending along the surface of the plastic stripcompletely to the end edges'thereof with the inner edges of theabsorbent material being spaced from the central opening.

5. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said absorbent materialis laminated to the surface of the plastic strip to absorb liquidsthereon and also to provide a nonslipping surface for instruments or thelike placed thereon.

6. A laparotomy sheet comprising a pair of enlarged panels of fabric ornonwoven paper material having sufficient porosity to enable passage offiltered air from one surface to the other, an elongated strip offlexible plastic material interconnecting the adjacent edges of thepanels with the width of the strip of plastic material being relativelysmall as compared with the total length of the sheet to permit filteredair to pass through a major portion of the sheet while preventingstrikethrough of fluids through the plastic strip, said plastic stripincluding a centrally disposed fenestration therein with the peripheryof the fenestration being slightly spaced'from the edges of the panels,and absorbent material laminated to the strip of plastic material toabsorb liquids engaging the upper surface thereof to prevent flow ofliquids along the upper surface of the plastic material and to providesupporting engagement with instruments placed thereon.

7. A laparotomy sheet comprising a pair of enlargcd panels of fabric ornonwoven paper material having sufiicient porosity to enable passa e offiltered air from one surface to the other, an elongate stnp of flexiblemoistureproof material interconneeting the adjacent edges of the panelswith the width of the strip of moistureproof material being relativelysmall as compared with the total length of the sheet to permit filteredair to pass through a major portion of the sheet while preventingstrike-through of fluids through the moistureproof strip, saidmoistureproof strip including a centrally disposed fenestration thereinwith the periphery of the fenestration being slightly spaced from theedges of the panels, and absorbent material laminated to the strip ofmoistureproof material to absorb liquids engaging the upper surfacethereof to prevent flow of liquids along the upper surface of themoistureproof material and to provide supporting engagement withinstruments placed thereon.

1. A surgical drape such as a laparotomy sheet enlarged lengthwise by aplastic panel having an opening disposed centrally therein, said panelbeing a moistureproof member defining the periphery of the opening toeliminate strike-through of fluid during a surgical procedure and toeliminate contamination of a wound by lint or other foreign materialcoming into contact therewith from portions of the drape outwardly ofsaid plastic member, said plastic panel having an absorbent material onthe upper surface to absorb any liquid engaging the surface of themoistureproof plastic member to prevent such liquid from flowing alongthe surface of the moistureproof member, the above combination enablesthe area immediately adjacent to the operating area to remain sterileand prevents fluids which would normally be directed downwards from theoperating table to remain on the laparotomy sheet.
 2. A surgical drapesuch as a laparotomy sheet comprising an enlarged panel having anopening disposed centrally therein, and a moistureproof member definingthe periphery of the opening to eliminate strike-through of fluid duringa surgical procedure and to eliminate contamination of a wound by lintor other foreign material coming into contact therewith from portions ofthe drape outwardly of the moistureproof member, and absorbent materialon the upper surface of the moistureproof member to absorb any liquidengaging the surface of the moistureproof member to prevent such liquidfrom flowing along the surface of the moistureproof member, saidmoistureproof member including a strip of flexible plastic materialextending completely across said panel and being relatively narrow toseparate the panel into side panels having the edges thereof secured tothe plastic strip, said absorbent material being spaced from theperiphery of the opening in the plastic strip.
 3. The structure asdefined in claim 2 wherein said absorbent material is in the form of apair of pads, one pad beiNg disposed on each side of the opening in theplastic strip and terminating substantially inwardly from the end edgesof the plastic strip.
 4. The structure as defined in claim 2 whereinsaid absorbent material is in the form of a pad extending along thesurface of the plastic strip completely to the end edges thereof withthe inner edges of the absorbent material being spaced from the centralopening.
 5. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said absorbentmaterial is laminated to the surface of the plastic strip to absorbliquids thereon and also to provide a nonslipping surface forinstruments or the like placed thereon.
 6. A laparotomy sheet comprisinga pair of enlarged panels of fabric or nonwoven paper material havingsufficient porosity to enable passage of filtered air from one surfaceto the other, an elongated strip of flexible plastic materialinterconnecting the adjacent edges of the panels with the width of thestrip of plastic material being relatively small as compared with thetotal length of the sheet to permit filtered air to pass through a majorportion of the sheet while preventing strike-through of fluids throughthe plastic strip, said plastic strip including a centrally disposedfenestration therein with the periphery of the fenestration beingslightly spaced from the edges of the panels, and absorbent materiallaminated to the strip of plastic material to absorb liquids engagingthe upper surface thereof to prevent flow of liquids along the uppersurface of the plastic material and to provide supporting engagementwith instruments placed thereon.
 7. A laparotomy sheet comprising a pairof enlarged panels of fabric or nonwoven paper material havingsufficient porosity to enable passage of filtered air from one surfaceto the other, an elongated strip of flexible moistureproof materialinterconnecting the adjacent edges of the panels with the width of thestrip of moistureproof material being relatively small as compared withthe total length of the sheet to permit filtered air to pass through amajor portion of the sheet while preventing strike-through of fluidsthrough the moistureproof strip, said moistureproof strip including acentrally disposed fenestration therein with the periphery of thefenestration being slightly spaced from the edges of the panels, andabsorbent material laminated to the strip of moistureproof material toabsorb liquids engaging the upper surface thereof to prevent flow ofliquids along the upper surface of the moistureproof material and toprovide supporting engagement with instruments placed thereon.